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Novel Catalog
Chapter_68
Jasper’s gaze sharpened, and for a fleeting moment, the room seemed to lose its noise as his attention was entirely consumed by the mention of the “Crimson Heart.” His mind raced, piecing together the connections that had eluded him.
Alyssa, too, couldn’t mask her surprise. She turned toward Mandy, who was still seated gracefully, a faint smile on her lips. The “Crimson Heart” was no ordinary piece—it was infamous within their circles, known for its distinct design and the mystery behind its creation. It was said that the designer, a craftsman from Furancia, had poured his soul into it, and only a handful of pieces existed in the world.
Jasper’s heart thudded in his chest. His thoughts lingered for a moment, battling between the personal significance of the piece and the practical matter of bidding on it. His instinct told him to withdraw, to stop playing this game, but another part of him—one that had been steadily growing stronger these past few months—urged him to secure it.
The auctioneer’s voice broke through his concentration. “Starting bid for the ‘Crimson Heart’ is thirty million. Do I hear thirty million?”
Jasper’s hand twitched, but before he could make a move, Alyssa raised her paddle without hesitation.
“Forty million,” she called out with confidence.
The room buzzed. This was no ordinary bid. This was the real game—the kind of power move that sent a message.
Jasper’s eyes flashed in her direction, but he said nothing. Alyssa had always known how to make a statement. But this time, he was determined not to let her take this one from him.
“Fifty million,” he declared, raising his paddle smoothly, his voice calm yet authoritative.
Alyssa’s lips curled slightly. This was turning into quite a battle, and for a moment, she appreciated the challenge. But she wouldn’t back down.
“Sixty million,” she responded coolly.
The tension in the room grew unbearable. Liana and the others watched with bated breath, their eyes flicking back and forth between the two powerful players locked in their high-stakes contest.
Jasper glanced around the room. Mandy was watching, almost amused by the exchange. It wasn’t just about the Crimson Heart for him. It was about proving something—maybe to himself, maybe to Alyssa. He didn’t want to lose, not this time.
“Seventy million,” he said, his tone unwavering.
Alyssa bit her lip but raised her paddle again. “Eighty million.”
Landon leaned toward Jasper, clearly enjoying the spectacle. “Now this is a real showdown. You can’t back down now, can you?”
Jasper’s face remained impassive. He couldn’t show weakness—not in front of anyone. But there was something else in his eyes, something that told Alyssa he wasn’t just fighting for the jewelry. He was fighting for something deeper—something between them that neither of them had ever dared to acknowledge fully.
“Eighty-five million,” Jasper said, pushing the bid higher.
Alyssa’s heart skipped a beat. She knew this could go on indefinitely, but it wouldn’t do to let this escalate further. There was too much at stake. And for a fleeting moment, she realized how much of her pride was invested in this moment.
But as the auctioneer readied to call it, she made a decision.
“Let’s stop here,” she said, her voice calm yet firm. “I’m out.”
The crowd was stunned. The tension dissipated in an instant, and all eyes turned to her.
Jasper’s eyes narrowed as he looked at her, his lips twitching slightly. She had just let him win—but he wasn’t sure if it was because she wanted to or because she was simply playing her cards too carefully.
Alyssa gave him a pointed look, a small smirk tugging at her lips. She hadn’t truly wanted the Crimson Heart—it had always been about the challenge. And for a moment, it felt like she had proven something far more valuable than any jewelry.
The auctioneer announced the final bid. “Eighty-five million. Going once… going twice… sold! Congratulations to Mr. Jasper Beckett for acquiring the Crimson Heart!”
The room erupted in applause, but for Jasper and Alyssa, the game had just begun.